elder leaf

[Lisa HoughtellingStudent]

best time to harvest elder leaf?  Spring, summer, fall?

Thanks

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Sydnia Ginger Anady

[JoelleStudent]

Doc says that spring is best as the plant is putting all it’s energy into the leaves.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I harvest elder leaf any time they look good. They’re probably a bit stronger in the spring before fruiting.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Sydnia Ginger Anady, Lee Ann, Michelle Koch

[Helen PirtleStudent]

How do you use the elder leaf?  Dry it and powder it, then put into capsules?  Use it to make a tea?  Any other ways to use it?

[Greg BoggsStudent]

I dried and powdered mine. From there you can make a tea out of it, throw some powder in a smoothie, or really whatever you’d like to get the powder into you. Doc has said he just takes the powder, adds water, and drinks it

[JeanStudent]

I still cant get over the fact that one can use the elder leaf as well.  (Other herbalist say you cant use it) I am still in shock!

On another note:

There is a place in, I believe, Missouri that grows Elder plants where the berries are way less toxic as the European kind.

[Greg BoggsStudent]

So I got the chance to ask why people say not to use the leaves and I was told that it’s because the leaves have small amounts of cyanide in them. I recall Doc saying something about the seeds inside of stone fruits having a small amount of cyanide in them as well, my guess is that the amounts are similar to elder leaf but thats just a guess

[bob taylorStudent]

So my questions are – which is better, tincturing the fresh leaves or dried? if tincturing fresh leaves, is 50% vodka okay? or would 70-75% (adding some everclear) alcohol be better?

[JeanStudent]

Hi Bob,  To my understanding,  If you were to use 50% vodka for a fresh plant, the water content in the fresh plant matter would cause the tincture to be less then 50%.  Know too that there are two different strengths of everclear.

 

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

bob taylor wrote:

So my questions are – which is better, tincturing the fresh leaves or dried? if tincturing fresh leaves, is 50% vodka okay? or would 70-75% (adding some everclear) alcohol be better?

I dry the leaves and use vodka

 

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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